What does it say about our list?

[ROK Lobster]

The only thing anyone wanted from us was our first round draft pick. We have an entire list of untouchables - those that we will not touch and those that no-one else will touch with a long pole.

Where was the aggression? Having listened to Roos I thought for sure that one of more of B1, ROK, Saddo, Schneider and some of the other 'quality' players would be going. What happened? Did Roos not have the courage at the 11th hour, was there just a real lack of quality available, or do the other clubs just not rate our list?

[cruiser]

Fair go. What sort of unnecessarily negative comment is that? You're sounding like a Richmond supporter.

[NMWBloods]

I suppose the issue is who would anyone want from our list. A lot of players do well in our team environment and structure, but are not standouts individually.

I can see some people wanting J Bolton or O'Keefe, but I thought it was made clear that they wouldn't be leaving Sydney in the near future.

I'm not sure if there are too many other players we'd be willing to part with who could command much weight in a trade.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by cruiser
Fair go. What sort of unnecessarily negative comment is that? You're sounding like a Richmond supporter.

Really?

It was just a question. When the coach says that he is going to be aggressive in the trade period, and warns fans that there may be some trades made that will not please everyone (ie your favourite player will only play one game at the SCG next year) you have to wonder what went on. When Roos made those statements (and he did so a few times) he was more or less telling the other 15 clubs that most players on our list were available for the right price - come and make it happen. All of the other clubs knew what we wanted. So, by my thinking, Roos was either talking rubbish (which is unlikely) or no-one was prepared to give up their 'quality' for our 'quality'. Given that we have plenty of salary cap room, an administration that is not a basket case, a very well respected coach, and regularly play in September surely we were in a position to attract players themselves (Jolly seems very keen to come for instance). It is not enough to simply say that no one became available - for the right price there are not many true 'untouchables'.

Personally I am quite glad that none of my favourites are going (I was yet to form an emotional attachment to pick 15). I also think that there is a lot of potential in our list and that Paul Roos is very well equipped to get the most from that list. At the same time though it does not seem that there was any sort of a rush by the other clubs to get their hands on any of that list. If this is unnecessarily negative then so be it - when I made the comment I was simply wondering what other people's opinions were.

[Charlie]

Would prefer that the Swans be aggressive in pursuing player that come available, rather than aggressive in hawking our players about as if it were an auction...

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Given that we have plenty of salary cap room . . . . . . . Jolly seems very keen to come for instance

Yes, I wonder how much room we now have in the salary cap?

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Charlie
Would prefer that the Swans be aggressive in pursuing player that come available, rather than aggressive in hawking our players about as if it were an auction...

Sure, I agree 100%. And I am glad that we did not. I am also glad that we did not trade away half the list for Ottens and I think the price we paid for Jolly was reasonable. I have no problem with what went on. All I am saying is that quite plainly much of our list was 'available' and am quite surprised that some of the other clubs did not take the opportunity to get their hands on it.

[Snowy]

ROK lobster is spot on, Roos was a bit disappointed at how less than enamoured fellow suitors were of the Sydney list (and that comes from a reliable source at Optus Oval). Because of this I am sure Jolly came at over the odds. But there is also no way that Carr is worth three picks.

[timthefish]

Originally posted by Snowy
Roos was a bit disappointed at how less than enamoured fellow suitors were of the Sydney list

disappointment which may turn to delight. once again we are heading into a season with a list that everyone else rates down but is almost a cert top eight and genuine top four chance.

i choose to believe that from our oversupply of small forwards a new aggressive midfielder will arrive and that either saddo or lrt will step up as the strong man in defence.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by timthefish
disappointment which may turn to delight. once again we are heading into a season with a list that everyone else rates down but is almost a cert top eight and genuine top four chance.

i choose to believe that from our oversupply of small forwards a new aggressive midfielder will arrive and that either saddo or lrt will step up as the strong man in defence.

Spot on. Plus we now have a quality tap ruckman (certainly above average IMO) and have managed to hang on to all of our young up and comers. It will remain interesting to see what our team can do next year... unlike at least five other teams who are looking forward to another year where the eight seems out of reach.